U.Va.'s Morgan Moses still learning despite the losing

Though he could've had the chance to bolt the shaky situation in Charlottesville in the offseason, Virginia left tackle Morgan Moses decided to stay on board and finish up his senior season.

Given the continued decay of U.Va.'s football program, Moses could be excused if he spent his fall daydreaming about what might've been had he left school early to enter the NFL draft. As hard as it may be to fathom, he insists such thoughts don't cross his mind.

"I'm enjoying my time here," said Moses, a 6-foot-6, 325-pound Richmond native who will lead U.Va. on Saturday against No. 9 Clemson (7-1, 5-1 Atlantic Coast Conference). "I love playing with the guys. I love the coaching staff that we have. Playing at the next level is definitely 100 percent business.

"I'm enjoying waking up early in the morning and going out there and having fun with the guys. I'm not really thinking about what's next, what's going to be there for me next year or why did I come back. I'm having fun, and that's the big part about it."

Moses went through the process of submitting paperwork to the NFL draft advisory committee before making his decision last winter to return to U.Va. (2-6, 0-4). He was tight-lipped about where the committee had him projected in April's draft had he decided to come out early.

Despite enduring a 2-6 season, and playing on an offensive line that has struggled in critical red zone short-yardage situations (including last weekend when running back Kevin Parks was stopped for no gain at Georgia Tech's 1-yard line at the end of the first half in Tech's 35-25 win), Moses still has had a valuable learning experience. He's picking up the nuances of what's essentially a new position.

"We've just got to pay attention to the defense," said Moses regarding U.Va.'s short yardage troubles. "We've got to get better as a team. It's not one thing that we need to focus on. It's a lot of things. I know we can do it. We've just got to put the pieces together."

After spending most of his time last season primarily at right tackle, Moses has shifted to left tackle this season. He played the position some prior to this season, but never on a full-time basis. The move came with some growing pains early in the season, as speed rushers found ways to get around Moses with regularity.

U.Va. has surrendered 16 sacks this season, which is right on pace two-thirds through the season with the number of sacks it gave up last season (25) while protecting much less mobile quarterbacks in Michael Rocco and Phillip Sims than this year's starter — Hampton High graduate David Watford.

"Moving to left tackle, everybody has been getting a running start at me," said Moses, who added the footwork required at left tackle is a lot different than what he employed at right tackle. "I've just had to learn the position. It's way different from playing right tackle."

Against Clemson, he won't have to line up much against All-ACC lock defensive end Vic Beasley, who leads the conference with 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Beasley will square off on most downs against freshman right tackle Eric Smith, who has been up-and-down in four starts.

With U.Va. mired in a five-game losing streak, and having games at North Carolina, at Miami and against Virginia Tech still on the schedule, Moses probably is going to finish his college career having made just one bowl appearance. Yet, he continues to be one of the more positive, upbeat personalities on a team that will have to fight malaise the rest of the way.

"You can't let it get to the point where you show your frustration in terms of giving up or giving in," U.Va. coach Mike London said. "I mean, obviously, we played in games that we've done well, but have not done well enough in terms of points or keeping people out of the end zone or in terms of capitalizing on turnovers."

As for his draft prospects, Moses is still on the radar screen for NFL general managers, according to projections. The nfldraftscout.com website has Moses rated the 12th best offensive tackle prospect in the upcoming draft, and a possible third- or fourth-round pick.

Among ACC offensive tackles, the website rates Florida State junior Cameron Erving (fourth-best tackle prospect in the upcoming draft and a possible first-round pick, if he leaves school early), Miami's Seantrel Henderson (sixth-best tackle, second round potential) and UNC's James Hurst (ninth-best tackle, second round potential) ahead of Moses.

"I feel like I've been playing fairly well," Moses said. "I could always play better. There's no such thing as a perfect game, but just being there on David's blind side and being able to give him a little bit extra time to get the ball out is definitely helping him."